The following is a candidate seeking the appointment for the Edgecombe County Sheriff Office to replace Sheriff James Knight who will officially retire on February 28, 2017. The office of Sheriff will become vacant on March 1, 2017 until the Edgecombe County Democratic Party Executive Committee meet and vote on a candidate. The name voted on by the ECDP will be given to the Edgecombe County Commissioners and they will appoint the interim Sheriff until the 2018 elections.

I, Cleveland (Clee) Atkinson, Jr., announce my candidacy for sheriff of Edgecombe County. I believe I am the most qualified candidate for the office. I have more than 20 years in law enforcement and I am currently assigned to the Governor’s Security Detail for North Carolina’s own, Governor Roy Cooper. I have served Edgecombe County in a law enforcement capacity since February 1997, most notably as a member of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

As you will see from the attached biography, I have built my career in a variety of roles. Those roles have involved mentoring youth and law enforcement officers, logging countless volunteer hours with service organizations, in and around Edgecombe County, speaking to area churches, schools, and colleges on safety issues/concerns, and training and re-training thousands of law enforcement officers across North Carolina. In addition, over the past 20 years, I have earned many public safety certifications, advanced law enforcement training and management training. I am well aware of what it takes to multitask while remaining organized and efficient.

As Sheriff of Edgecombe County, my goal is to be one of high standards, professionalism and of good moral excellence. I will have an open door policy with my deputies and provide a listening ear to our citizens. I will continue to build trust in the Sheriff’s Office by being visible, active in the community, and by increasing the transparency of the Sheriff’s Office.

Last, but certainly not least; I want you to know that it is an honor for me to take this journey. I am passionate about becoming the future Sheriff of Edgecombe County and at the possibility of becoming part of the Edgecombe County team. I hope you will join me in strengthening our foundation and developing forward thinking strategies that will allow us to work hard and stay focused on serving our community to our fullest potential.

I ask that you, my fellow citizens of Edgecombe County, put your trust in me to be your next Sheriff. Your vote and support will be humbly appreciated.

God bless you and your families,

Mr. Cleveland Atkinson, Jr.

Note:The following photo from my Facebook Photo Albums. You can click on the photo to see a video of Clee speaking at Salem Chapel MBC several months ago.

All candidates can send their cover letter and any other information you would like to share tothedcn@embarqmail.comand I will post it on my blog which automatically goes to my Facebook, Twitter and Linkedln Social Media pages. I am a member of the Edgecombe County Democratic Party Executive Committee so I have a voice and a vote.

Today Rev. Roosevelt Higgs Edgecombe County Democratic Party Chair was on “Your Morning With Yolanda” hosted by Dr. Glenda L. Knight Secretary of the party talking about the upcoming appointment process to replace Sheriff James L. Knight.

I am a precinct chair so therefore I have a vote and I have a voice. Trust me I will not be silent during the process.

Higgs said one thing he wanted folk to know is the process was going to be fair and open process. Really? What that suppose to mean?

Higgs said we did the same thing in 1997 when Knight got appointed. Well this time is different. Back then former Sheriff Phil Ellis resigned without giving a notice and left. Sheriff Knight has given a notice in January and his retirement is effective February 28. Therefore the party could have scheduled a candidates forum since the Sheriff gave his official resignation notice and then we could meet between on March 1 – 5 to actually vote so that we could give a name to the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners on March 6 so that the appointment could go into effect the 1st of March. But Higgs has taken it upon himself to call a meeting on March 23 and the commissioners next meeting will be on April 3. This makes no sense because we should have a name to be presented to the commissioners on March 6.

Now all interested persons seeking the appointment you need to know the difference in an appointment and an election. This is an appointment so therefore you need to know who the Edgecombe County Democratic Party Executive Committee members are that have a vote. You need to know how many votes a precinct chair and vice chair has. Upon request this should be made available by the secretary Dr. Glenda L. Knight and/or Rev. Roosevelt Higgs Chair. I have requested the information and has not received it. This is public information and all Democratic Party members should be able to receive it. From what I am hearing Higgs is not giving it to anyone. The party does not have email nor a social media site so therefore the only information made available will be through the United Postal Service.

Folk have been asking me who are the names that I have heard seeking the appointment. I have told them the names I have heard but I had not talked to but one of the candidates and that was Highway Patrol Clee Atkinson because he was trying to make me aware he was interested after reading The DCN News Blog/Online TV. He wanted to know how could he obtain information about who the voting members are and etc. Today I met with Chief Deputy Allen Moseley. I have heard from a couple of folk and some from within the Sheriff Department. I am going to leave that right there. I am not going to call the names anymore until I hear from them. I have asked both of these guys to send me their information that I can post on my social media pages and when I receive it I will post it.

I am asking all Edgecombe County Democrats to ask the party chair Rev. Roosevelt Higgs (252) 907-8311 why has not call a meeting with the Edgecombe County Democratic Executive Committee between March 1 – 5 so we can have a name to submit to the Edgecombe County Commissioners so that we can have a person to to step right in Sheriff Knight role in just a few days vs waiting all of February and all of March.

The Edgecombe County Democratic Women will host a Sheriff forum for all persons interested in the Sheriff appointment on February 16, 2017 6:00 PM Edgecombe County Administration Building Auditorium 201 St. Andrews Street. Contact Melanie Golf Bradley Secretary ECDW (252) 813-3990 or you can contact me and Ex-Officio Member at (252) 314-5484.

Obviously folk don’t read The DCN News Blog Online TV and/or any of my social media sites because I had stated over the years that at anytime folk are running for office in Edgecombe County but not limited to because I have a vote either during the May Primary and November General Election you need to contact me. However because I am a Precinct Chair I also have a vote when it comes to certain appointments one being the Sheriff appointment. Some folk know and some do know that I played a major role in the appointment of Sheriff James Knight on the local but also statewide in the appointment of G.K. Butterfield to Congress and the election of Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II when he was elected President of the NC NAACP. Nope I ain’t nobody and only have on vote, however I do have a voice and a network.

While those Edgecombe County folk whom are focusing on Trump we need to be talking about the Sheriff appointment. Maybe you have not heard, maybe you don’t know and/or maybe you don’t care. Well I am telling you if you don’t know and I ask that you share the information with your family and friends because they may not receive my information. Some folk who don’t live on Edgecombe County side that have an audience such as pastors and other, you need to be sharing the information so they will be aware of what is fitting ready to take place after Sheriff Knight retires on February 28, 2017 a little over 30 days from today.

There are 21 Democratic Precincts in Edgecombe County and the chair and the vice chair can vote. There are numerous Democratic Party Elected Officials that have a vote. There are 6 Democratic Party Officers on the County Executive Committee. There may be some Ex-Officio members who may be able to vote and all of these folk are called the Edgecombe County Executive Committee that must come together and vote on a candidate. Once that is done the Edgecombe County Commissioners must appoint the name given to them.

All persons who are interested in the appointment need to contact Rev. Roosevelt Higgs (252) 907-8311 Democratic Party Chair and/or the secretary. I asked the secretary for the information and she said Rev. Higgs have it. I understand he has been asked for the information but he has not been willing to give it up. I don’t have time to play with him so I will not be contacting him. I know he will be be trying to hold off on the information so he can attempt to manipulate the process because I know how he works. But the information should be readily available for any Democrat in the county.

I would love to see the Edgecombe County Democratic Women hold a forum to ask anyone whom may be interested in the appointment. I suggest the ECDW because the Democratic Party under the leadership of Rev. Higgs has not held any type of forum other than being a party of the Edgecombe County Human Relations Commission.

Lastly do ya’ll know that the Sheriff runs the county? Folk this is a very, very, very serious appointment.

Now don’t get it twisted. I am not asking anyone to agree with me I am just putting the trues out there. I have no control over how folk receive information. I also ask folk to do their own homework because I do mines.

Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight to retire effective February 28, 2017. The Edgecombe County Democratic Party Executive Committee should meet on March 1st or by March 5th so they can have a name to present to the county commissioners at their regular monthly meeting on March 6, 2017. The Edgecombe County Democratic Party Executive Committee consist of the county 6 officers, all precinct chairs and vice chairs along with all elected officials.

As a precinct chair I have only heard from one person who is interested in the appointment. The time is now to make it known if you are interested in the appointment.

My condolences goes out to the Dickens, Sherrod, Cruz-Franco and Sanchez families. My heart is heavy for those whom were in the barbershop especially the children who witnessed the incident. They will never forget this and will probably think about it every time they goes to a barbershop. My brother in law was in the barbershop and witnessed the tragedy also. My sister was tore up when I called her yesterday and that is when I learned he was in the barbershop. My heart is heavy for anyone whom may have witnessed the shooting of Cruz-Franco and Sanchez. My heart is also heavy for the law enforcement officers whom had to bring down the victim. My heart is heavy for all whom knows any of the people involved directly and/or indirectly because this was a sad day in Edgecombe County. My heart is heavy for my son and my adopted son whom were classmates with George’s son up until this school year. They played basketball together in the middle school.

TARBORO, N.C. –As a result of a year long undercover drug investigation called operation “Checking Our List,” the Tarboro Police Department and Edgecombe County Sheriff’s office announced they had arrested hundreds of people buying, selling, and transporting illegal drugs.

In all, 10 agencies helped with the round up in Edgecombe County.

Deputies say they served more than 100 warrants and seized more than 40 doses of heroin, as well as cocaine and marijuana. Law enforcement officials say the drugs taken off the street are worth more than $1 million.

Damon Williams, Tarboro Police Chief, says this all adds up to a safer community.

“Drugs, gangs, weapons all go together,” Williams said. “So we’ve made an impact in that entire area within the entire county.” (Source: Read more)